# NTSB ANC25LA057: Cessna A185F, N3308S, Trapper Creek, AK, May 21, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 20, 2025, 21:42 local (May 21, 2025, 05:42 UTC) - Place: Trapper Creek, AK · Shulin Lake - Coordinates: 62.148894, -150.85628 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1489&lon=-150.8563&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200419 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200419/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200419 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA057 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper flare while landing on glassy water, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: glassy surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, as he approached his intended landing site in a float-equipped airplane, there were overcast sky conditions, light rain, and a glassy water surface on the remote lake. While on approach to the lake he lost depth perception and landed hard on the water which resulted in damage to the float riggings. He performed a go-around and on the second attempt to land the float rigging failed and the airplane came to rest inverted in the water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3308S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3308S), registered now, S/N 18502267, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18502267 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 4344.7 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 2024 - Departed: 3K9, Wasilla, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,631 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,631 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: ATK, 24 nm away - METAR: PATK 210621Z AUTO 16006KT 10SM BKN029 OVC041 08/06 A2985 RMK AO2 T00830056 TSNO ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20250520018519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250520018519A), May 20, 2025: Cessna A185F, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. On or about 05/20/2025 at approximately 2140 hours pilot of a CE185 on floats approached shulin lake from the north. VFR conditions prevailed at shulin with… ## Other investigations on N3308S (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC06CA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA008), Oct 24, 2005: Cessna 185 (N3308S), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable taxi area, which resulted in an encounter with a hidden obstruction, and an on-ground collision with trees while taxiing to takeoff. Factors associated with the… - [NTSB LAX82DUJ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DUJ05), Nov 7, 1981: Cessna A185F (N3308S), Prescott, AZ, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200419. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19301189&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ntsb_0001_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 480 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19301848&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.